1923 Yearbook
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Title
1923 Yearbook
Description
CHOIR JOTTINGS
Despite the long continued and rather heartless progression of the world to the
dump-heap, amid the groans of well-meaning reformists and the thunderous accompaniment of crashing planets—the Choir, not in the least dismayed, and with the well-
known harmony of the Lion and the Lamb, still continues to vocalize and be generally
articulate. (To the great relief, naturally, of the aforementioned world.) In fact,
anything might happen—the stars fall from heaven or decay seize upon the Latin language; Spring Poets might all die from hydrophobia (Oh, irreparable loss!) and
garbage collectors all turn taxi-drivers (no difference!).—In spite of all this, the disarmament of the navy bean will still be a matter for Congressional discussion, and
April showers will still bring disaster upon the heads of Easter-bonneted optimists.
Which statement, although slightly irrelevant, is not so much so as one may think. It's
like the case of the unfortunate victim in the dentist's chair, who, in mortal terror,
whimpered that he had lost his nerve; to which the dentist, with his most ingratiating
smile, and with the buzzing drill poised artfully in his hand, replied: "Don't worry,
my dear man; I'll find it for you."
Which statement, however, was not quite so irrelevant.
*****
I wish to make special note of the fact that the dear old organ is holding together
with commendable zeal. As most students will remember, this was one of the two
organs unearthed from the tomb of Put-an-Takem, the half-witted step-uncle of the
now famous Tut-ank-Ahmen. Along with these priceless discoveries were found a
police whistle and a cake of Fleishmann's yeast, proving conclusively (as the New
York Crimes so aptly stated) that a very high state of civilization must have existed
among the Egyptians. It is also a matter of note that the discoverer, Lord Harm-
no-vun, is a musician of rare ability and prides himself especially upon his large collection of almost priceless musical instruments. Naturally his donation of one of the
organs to the College came as a great surprise. We were all very much flattered by
being honored with such a valuable gift.
(P. S. We have since learned, however, why the organ was shoved upon us. And I
wonder sometimes—just what was wrong with the other organ?????)
*****
Father Morrin is still with us, in behalf of the Church Militant, fighting bravely
with the choristers against the dangers and the pitfalls that confront them on the "high
C's"—or thereabouts. His aid is invaluable and his directorship persuasive and competent. In a very short time indeed he has built up from the ranks of the choir a
structure of solid musicianship.
*****
Several times during the year, the choir received numerous applications from hopeful
aspirants for admittance into their hallowed organization. Notable among these vocal
enthusiasts was a pair of well known and prominent Burlingtonians, namely: Mister
Duggan and Mister Dehner. Their petitions were considered with all due solemnity,
as is usual in such cases, and a date set for a try-out of their possibilities. But unfortunately, before that time arrived, Fate played a heavy hand with both parties. It so
happened that Mr. Dehner had indulged in the luxury of a cork tip cigarette, but, in
the confusion of his haste, lit the wrong end, with disastrous results. Mr. Duggan
fared even worse. In the midst of taking a shower, he discovered that there was no hot
Page 9 2
Despite the long continued and rather heartless progression of the world to the
dump-heap, amid the groans of well-meaning reformists and the thunderous accompaniment of crashing planets—the Choir, not in the least dismayed, and with the well-
known harmony of the Lion and the Lamb, still continues to vocalize and be generally
articulate. (To the great relief, naturally, of the aforementioned world.) In fact,
anything might happen—the stars fall from heaven or decay seize upon the Latin language; Spring Poets might all die from hydrophobia (Oh, irreparable loss!) and
garbage collectors all turn taxi-drivers (no difference!).—In spite of all this, the disarmament of the navy bean will still be a matter for Congressional discussion, and
April showers will still bring disaster upon the heads of Easter-bonneted optimists.
Which statement, although slightly irrelevant, is not so much so as one may think. It's
like the case of the unfortunate victim in the dentist's chair, who, in mortal terror,
whimpered that he had lost his nerve; to which the dentist, with his most ingratiating
smile, and with the buzzing drill poised artfully in his hand, replied: "Don't worry,
my dear man; I'll find it for you."
Which statement, however, was not quite so irrelevant.
*****
I wish to make special note of the fact that the dear old organ is holding together
with commendable zeal. As most students will remember, this was one of the two
organs unearthed from the tomb of Put-an-Takem, the half-witted step-uncle of the
now famous Tut-ank-Ahmen. Along with these priceless discoveries were found a
police whistle and a cake of Fleishmann's yeast, proving conclusively (as the New
York Crimes so aptly stated) that a very high state of civilization must have existed
among the Egyptians. It is also a matter of note that the discoverer, Lord Harm-
no-vun, is a musician of rare ability and prides himself especially upon his large collection of almost priceless musical instruments. Naturally his donation of one of the
organs to the College came as a great surprise. We were all very much flattered by
being honored with such a valuable gift.
(P. S. We have since learned, however, why the organ was shoved upon us. And I
wonder sometimes—just what was wrong with the other organ?????)
*****
Father Morrin is still with us, in behalf of the Church Militant, fighting bravely
with the choristers against the dangers and the pitfalls that confront them on the "high
C's"—or thereabouts. His aid is invaluable and his directorship persuasive and competent. In a very short time indeed he has built up from the ranks of the choir a
structure of solid musicianship.
*****
Several times during the year, the choir received numerous applications from hopeful
aspirants for admittance into their hallowed organization. Notable among these vocal
enthusiasts was a pair of well known and prominent Burlingtonians, namely: Mister
Duggan and Mister Dehner. Their petitions were considered with all due solemnity,
as is usual in such cases, and a date set for a try-out of their possibilities. But unfortunately, before that time arrived, Fate played a heavy hand with both parties. It so
happened that Mr. Dehner had indulged in the luxury of a cork tip cigarette, but, in
the confusion of his haste, lit the wrong end, with disastrous results. Mr. Duggan
fared even worse. In the midst of taking a shower, he discovered that there was no hot
Page 9 2
Date
1923
Rights
St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA 52803
Identifier
http://cdm16810.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16810coll2/id/7698